The Secret World (Radio 4, Tuesdays) provides none of them. Here's a comedy show that, through the employment of mimics, invites us to imagine what happens in the private lives of famous people. Sean Connery has a baking competition with James Gandolfini of The Sopranos, William Hague tries to entertain Angela Merkel in the absence of Prime Minister Cameron, Nick Clegg successively telephones Sandi Toksvig, Miranda Hart and Jo Brand, trying (always in vain) to get them to come to a party. It sounds stale, as if every situation has been chosen to fit the voices available rather than for any intrinsic wit.

Sandi Toksvig: 'I don't understand boredom'

Comedian, playwright, novelist, TV personality: Sandi Toksvig is a one-woman cottage industry. She talks about coming out, panel shows and why she's turned her back on the Lib-Dems.

Sandi Toksvig: 'I don't understand boredom'

Comedian, playwright, novelist, TV personality: Sandi Toksvig is a one-woman cottage industry.

Five-minute festival: Sandi Toksvig

Comedian Sandi Toksvig returns to Edinburgh for the first time since 2001 with a show linked to her new book, Valentine Grey. Here's her guide to the festival.

Sandi Toksvig comes to Fringe with My Valentine

The author and broadcaster's show is inspired by her latest novel, Valentine Grey.

Sandi Toksvig joins Stephen Fry's production company

Sandi Toksvig has joined Sprout Pictures as a director, the independent production company co-founded by Stephen Fry.

This comedy panel show offers a fresh twist by having its contestants ask each other questions. Dave Lamb, now best known as the voice of Come Dine with Me[/i], acts as the show's "fact checker" in case of disputes. But it's all made rather non-combative by seating the panel in laid-back armchairs. After a pilot last May, it's now launching as a series, with Graham Norton, Sandi Toksvig and Marcus Brigstocke as guests and Armstrong as head prefect.

Sandi Toksvig becomes Portsmouth University chancellor

Comedian, author and presenter succeeds Sheila Hancock and is welcomed by Professor John Craven (not that one).

The News Quiz] (Radio 4, Friday) returned for a 75th series last week, its host Sandi Toksvig and contestants Dominic Lawson, Jeremy Hardy, Andy Hamilton and Fred MacAulay keen to get at what must be one of the richest current affairs harvests in living memory. As ever, Hamilton had the best lines, noting that the name of Libyan diplomat Moussa Koussa "sounds like an ABBA track" and comparing the all-party select committee responsible for grilling Rupert and James Murdoch to "a panel comprised of Sherlock Holmes, Perry Mason, Dale Winton, Jim Bowen and Sooty". (Listeners were left to guess which MP most closely resembles a small glove-puppet bear.)

The format may now be as well worn and familiar as an old cardigan, but it's no less welcome for that.

Last night QI returned to BBC2 for another series of the incredibly intelligent quiz show hosted by the extremely knowledgeable Stephen Fry. Last night Mr Fry was joined by Lee Mack, Jimmy Carr, Sandi Toksvig and the ever-present Alan Davies. The subject was I-Spy.

To list the amount of interesting facts would take longer than watching the show itself and to list the amount of jokes, gags or hints of amusement would take almost as long. A few key points on last night's episode that ticked both boxes were the plastic mould of Einstein's face that tricks the mind and making the Queen happy or sad on a five pound note. Without giving it away I think you definitely have to watch the show in order to get the point of each.

QI is a very unique programme on the old telebox these days as it educates whilst entertaining. Maintaining the balance and keeping an audience who have flicked on for either is a tricky thing to master, but QI has mastered it with flying colours I do believe. I did learn a few things that I did not know before watching and I although most of it may be useless I do feel more confident going into next week's pub quiz.

Star of the show last night would have to go Lee Mack who isn't the cleverest of men, but is damn funny. Catch it on the iPlayer and expand your intelligence whilst having a chuckle.